The 10 Best Small Towns In Maryland For 2024


The best small towns in Maryland are Chevy Chase Village and Chevy Chase Section Three for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.

By: Chris Kolmar | About HomeSnacks
Last Updated: January 12, 2024

You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in Maryland. Best sururbs in Maryland. Best counties in Maryland.

Etc., etc., etc.

But they all focus on major cities and towns in the Old Line State, and no one pays attention to the little guy.

Well, that’s all about to change as we put together a list of the superb small towns in Maryland based on numbers–not opinions or hearsay.

We’ll dive right into our methodology in the next section, but first, we thought you might want to know which places in Maryland ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.

Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table

The 15 Best Small Towns To Live In Maryland For 2024

  1. Chevy Chase Village
  2. Chevy Chase Section Three
  3. Chevy Chase View
  4. Cabin John
  5. Somerset
  6. Chevy Chase
  7. Brookmont
  8. Middl
  9. University Park
  10. Herald Harbor
  11. Owings
  12. Riva
  13. Myersville
  14. Solomons
  15. New Market

Best Small Towns To Live In Maryland Map

What’s the best small town in Maryland? Chevy Chase Village is the best small town in Maryland based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Chevy Chase Village, chances are, you’re not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.

But for the rest of you–keep reading, and we’ll get to just why these small towns made our list.

For more reading on the Old Line State check out:

The 15 Best Small Towns In Maryland For 2024

1. Chevy Chase Village

Source: Public Domain
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 1,885
Median Income: $250,001 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $2,124,846 (1st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%

2. Chevy Chase Section Three

Overall SnackAbility

/10

Population: 1,026
Median Income: $250,001 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,652,492 (3rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.7%

3. Chevy Chase View

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,123
Median Income: $250,001 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,389,341 (5th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.8%

4. Cabin John

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 2,196
Median Income: $208,598 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $1,197,088 (7th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%

5. Somerset

Overall SnackAbility

/10

Population: 1,028
Median Income: $250,001 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,749,491 (2nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.6%

6. Chevy Chase

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 2,879
Median Income: $250,001 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,355,333 (6th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.6%

7. Brookmont

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 3,732
Median Income: $250,001 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,447,763 (4th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 6.2%

8. Middl

Source: Public Domain
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 4,978
Median Income: $168,007 (16th Best)
Median Home Value: $547,466 (27th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.2%

9. University Park

University Park, MD

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

7.5
/10

Population: 2,610
Median Income: $191,205 (10th Best)
Median Home Value: $644,596 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.7%

10. Herald Harbor

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 2,690
Median Income: $142,500 (27th Best)
Median Home Value: $614,399 (14th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%

11. Owings

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,376
Median Income: $150,156 (21st Best)
Median Home Value: $580,424 (22nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.4%

12. Riva

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 4,784
Median Income: $145,601 (24th Best)
Median Home Value: $605,930 (18th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.3%

13. Myersville

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 2,493
Median Income: $140,048 (28th Best)
Median Home Value: $492,166 (39th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%

14. Solomons

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,242
Median Income: $88,558 (77th Best)
Median Home Value: $417,110 (62nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%

15. New Market

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,534
Median Income: $190,750 (11th Best)
Median Home Value: $553,300 (25th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.5%

Best States In America

Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Maryland

We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in Maryland possible.

Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2018-2022 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, this is the criteria we used:

  • Population Density (Higher is better)
  • Lowest Unemployment Rates
  • Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
  • Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
  • Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
  • Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
  • Commute Times (Lower is better)

We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 127 to be exact.

We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 127, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Maryland. Top of that list — Chevy Chase Village.

This is our tenth time ranking the best small places to live in Maryland.

Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones

We said it once, and we’ll say it again — this list: it’s just science. We did the research, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these 15 small towns in Maryland are the best in which to live.

And who can argue with that?

The best small towns in Maryland are Chevy Chase Village, Chevy Chase Section Three, Chevy Chase View, Cabin John, Somerset, Chevy Chase, Brookmont, Middl, University Park, and Herald Harbor.

If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in Maryland:

  1. Greensboro
  2. Perryman
  3. Prince Frederick

For more Maryland reading, check out:

Best Small Towns In Maryland

Rank City Population Median Income Median Home Value Unemployment Rate
1 Chevy Chase Village, MD 1,885 $250,001 2.5%
2 Chevy Chase Section Three, MD 1,026 $250,001 0.7%
3 Chevy Chase View, MD 1,123 $250,001 0.8%
4 Cabin John, MD 2,196 $208,598 0.0%
5 Somerset, MD 1,028 $250,001 0.6%
6 Chevy Chase, MD 2,879 $250,001 3.6%
7 Brookmont, MD 3,732 $250,001 6.2%
8 Middl, MD 4,978 $168,007 2.2%
9 University Park, MD 2,610 $191,205 0.7%
10 Herald Harbor, MD 2,690 $142,500 1.9%
11 Owings, MD 2,376 $150,156 1.4%
12 Riva, MD 4,784 $145,601 3.3%
13 Myersville, MD 2,493 $140,048 0.0%
14 Solomons, MD 2,242 $88,558 0.0%
15 New Market, MD 1,534 $190,750 3.5%
16 Dunkirk, MD 2,277 $159,167 0.7%
17 Adamstown, MD 2,394 $223,250 2.8%
18 Monrovia, MD 2,980 $224,886 0.7%
19 Sykesville, MD 4,305 $126,941 1.7%
20 Friendship Heights Village, MD 4,315 $113,063 2.9%
21 Leonar, MD 4,586 $138,295 1.4%
22 Buckeystown, MD 1,235 $124,137 3.4%
23 Kensington, MD 2,241 $143,021 5.8%
24 Naval Academy, MD 2,016 $114,054 2.3%
25 Jefferson, MD 2,742 $137,667 3.5%
26 Long Beach, MD 1,761 $132,917 0.0%
27 Pleasant Hills, MD 3,925 $138,531 2.5%
28 Bel Air, MD 1,670 $76,250 1.8%
29 West Laurel, MD 4,332 $154,014 2.8%
30 Woodsboro, MD 1,240 $127,000 1.7%
31 Huntingtown, MD 2,827 $175,341 2.3%
32 Crownsville, MD 1,363 $112,411 3.4%
33 Paramount-Long Meadow, MD 2,795 $89,490 4.8%
34 Bartonsville, MD 2,373 $131,789 2.5%
35 Gambrills, MD 3,111 $146,875 2.0%
36 Centreville, MD 4,700 $101,455 2.3%
37 Galesville, MD 1,226 $188,333 2.8%
38 La Vale, MD 4,351 $73,778 2.7%
39 Arden On The Severn, MD 1,363 $89,375 4.7%
40 Point Of Rocks, MD 2,360 $126,944 3.6%
41 Springdale, MD 4,950 $134,688 5.2%
42 Derwood, MD 1,850 $77,083 6.6%
43 Kingstown, MD 1,874 $88,214 1.3%
44 Berwyn Heights, MD 3,312 $132,625 4.8%
45 National Harbor, MD 4,268 $128,446 2.6%
46 Kingsville, MD 4,652 $120,481 0.6%
47 Piney Point, MD 1,033 $100,313 11.1%
48 Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 2,703 $118,750 6.3%
49 Spencerville, MD 1,277 $107,019 0.0%
50 Golden Beach, MD 3,933 $118,500 2.1%
51 Hughesville, MD 2,299 $128,846 1.3%
52 St. James, MD 4,106 $105,962 0.5%
53 Woodmore, MD 4,375 $172,388 7.3%
54 Braddock Heights, MD 2,857 $121,466 3.4%
55 Shady Side, MD 4,959 $133,378 4.6%
56 St. Michaels, MD 1,523 $73,415 7.6%
57 Drum Point, MD 2,979 $135,216 3.0%
58 Keedysville, MD 1,172 $136,667 4.8%
59 Charle, MD 2,050 $103,098 3.2%
60 Baden, MD 1,902 $144,712 6.3%
61 Konterra, MD 3,104 $150,274 7.6%
62 Queen Anne, MD 1,516 $179,625 8.7%
63 Deale, MD 4,706 $117,253 7.3%
64 Jarrettsville, MD 2,677 $157,422 7.6%
65 Libertytown, MD 1,275 $106,444 1.6%
66 Boonsboro, MD 3,785 $96,111 3.5%
67 Mechanicsville, MD 1,783 $114,318 3.9%
68 Rising Sun, MD 2,756 $78,403 4.9%
69 Cobb Island, MD 1,298 $127,442 3.9%
70 North East, MD 4,061 $85,378 4.7%
71 North Beach, MD 2,646 $78,442 16.9%
72 Oakland, MD 1,995 $61,568 2.0%
73 New Windsor, MD 1,304 $96,667 12.9%
74 Andrews Afb, MD 3,099 $83,966 4.9%
75 Princess Anne, MD 3,440 $42,250 2.1%
76 Williamsport, MD 1,915 $58,819 4.1%
77 Grasonville, MD 3,332 $109,375 3.0%
78 Morningside, MD 1,035 $84,444 12.2%
79 Rock Hall, MD 1,456 $56,442 5.2%
80 Lusby, MD 2,350 $109,861 3.1%
81 Chester, MD 4,456 $90,201 2.4%
82 Indian Head, MD 3,931 $77,948 2.2%
83 Colmar Manor, MD 1,516 $91,250 7.8%
84 Perryville, MD 4,398 $71,579 5.3%
85 Church Hill, MD 1,084 $66,432 0.4%
86 Potomac Heights, MD 1,166 $66,202 2.9%
87 Marlboro Meadows, MD 3,757 $97,330 5.0%
88 Bowling Green, MD 1,102 $59,773 5.6%
89 Algonquin, MD 1,055 $64,185 8.0%
90 Forest Heights, MD 2,641 $94,555 12.4%
91 Delmar, MD 3,897 $69,028 8.7%
92 Croom, MD 2,842 $146,387 7.8%
93 Smithsburg, MD 3,028 $89,167 3.4%
94 Brentwood, MD 3,782 $78,494 5.6%
95 Capitol Heights, MD 4,033 $89,167 6.8%
96 Landover Hills, MD 2,118 $100,739 11.3%
97 Pocomoke City, MD 4,318 $48,609 6.7%
98 Lonaconing, MD 1,071 $51,944 3.9%
99 Maugansville, MD 2,770 $62,375 7.1%
100 Melwood, MD 3,438 $76,625 5.2%
About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Small Towns, Rankings